Tripura critical to India-Bangladesh ties: Indian envoy-designate to Bangladesh

Indian High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami has visited Tripura and a number of connectivity projects between India and Bangladesh before his scheduled arrival in Dhaka tomorrow.

The Northeast of India is "central" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "stronger, resilient and modern" India, and "Tripura is the gateway of the Northeast", he told reporters after meeting Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday.

That was the reason behind why he decided to meet Deb who is known for being close to the Bangladesh prime minister and has good ties with Bangladesh, reported Indo-Asian News Service of India.

"As we develop our relationship with Bangladesh, our most important neighbouring country, it is going to be of great value to both the countries if our connectivity, travel, trade and people to people ties grow. To achieve this, Tripura is critical, that's why I am here," Doraiswami said.

Vikram Doraiswami, who succeeds Riva Ganguly Das as the Indian envoy in Bangladesh, also visited the under-construction India-Bangladesh 12.23 km railway project along Agartala.

After holding a meeting with the diplomat, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb tweeted: "Held a fruitful meeting with India's High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh, Shri @VDoraiswami."

He also said he "extensively discussed various contours of India-Bangladesh relations and how Tripura can contribute towards strengthening the bond between the two nations."

Subsequently, Doraiswami tweeted: "An honour and a privilege to meet Hon CM Biplab Kumar Deb and get his specific and clear guidance for the Mission ahead. Inspired by his strong advocacy of the closest India-Bangladesh ties!"

After meeting with the Tripura Governor Ramesh Bais, he tweeted that the governor's guidance was most welcome. "Sustained interest in Tripura in the best possible ties with Bangladesh."

Doraiswami joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992. Until recently, he served as additional secretary in-charge of International Organisations and Summits at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Meanwhile, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das left Dhaka for Delhi on Friday after serving for one-and-a-half years as envoy in Dhaka. She will join as Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Before leaving Bangladesh, she tweeted, "Goodbye Bangladesh. Wish to thank everyone for their cooperation in making it an extremely productive tenure. Taking back many fond memories of the warmth and hospitality."